Posted on 01/09/2009 2:39:14 PM PST by grellis
My Newfie/Lab cross will not allow me to trim her nails. She has tried to bite two groomers now, and the only success my vet had was with sedation--not cheap, when it has to be done every two months. I have tried every trimmer on the market, including the new battery powered models--nothing works. I've had Moxie since she was a puppy, and she has never been comfortable with anyone handling her toes. I'm at my wit's end! ANY suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Our vet uses a muzzle and most likely help (and goes where I cannot watch her) to clip our Border Collie’s nails. He absolutely HATES it, will not let me nor the groomer near his toes, and nips even at us if we DARE to get near.
Cannot help you. I think Doggie Downers are probably called for.
I used to take my dog and a tennis ball to a side street with no traffic and play fetch for a while.
Wish I could help. I have a Pug who will not let anyone touch her feet. She is the calmest (laziest) dog in creation but touch her feet and all bets are off. We have to take her to the Vets where two people hold a blanket her down with a blanket while one clips.
Giving a nice treat afterwards worked for us. When we first started we’d give a piece of the treat after a couple of nails and then later the dog would know to just be patient and he would be rewarded.
I believe it is possible to train with rewards so it is a pleasant experience for everyone.
Our vet uses a muzzle and most likely help (and goes where I cannot watch her) to clip our Border Collie’s nails. He absolutely HATES it, will not let me nor the groomer near his toes, and nips even at us if we DARE to get near.
Cannot help you. I think Doggie Downers are probably called for.
I have ferrets that can bite like hell when poed!
I use a tube of gooey stuff made out of molasses that they dearly love to eat to distract them while trimming their nails!
Try feeding her something she really likes while trimming.
Worth a try...
Have you tried the dremel tool they advertise? One of our Cockers used to require a muzzel to do her toes, but she doesn’t mind the dremel at all. I also give all my dogs a homeopathic calming remedy before they are groomed, it helps.
?
No one should use a shock collar on their dogs. No wonder we have so many screwed up pets with ideas like that!
Have you ever tried giving melatonin or valerian? It does calm them, though I prefer to use Rescue Remedy and Bach Flowers Calming or anti-anxiety remedies.
I have a 9-year-old Japanese Akita, Bo. He’s about 110 pounds and sensitive about his nails. I am MOM aka PACK LEADER and I can massage his feet, even play with his lips and he is docile and relaxed. He hates the nail clipper.
We take him to the vet’s office, muzzle him and keep his leash on. He is instantly docile and obedient when leashed. My husband puts his hands on the dog and talks sweetly to him while I stand close in front of him telling him to be good/obey. He has reached the point where he knows what is going on, knows he will also get a treat afterward, he is not capable of biting or running and his entire pack is supporting him. The vet clips the nails. It takes about 2 minutes, if he needs a shot, that gets done then, too. In and out and no longer a trauma.
Baths are another story.
As another poster suggested, try not to show any anxiety, though with a 105 lb dog that's easier said than done.
If you've been trying for months with no success, you may have to seek out a specialist because "manhandling" a 105 lb dog is dangerous to both the "handlers" and the dog. Perhaps sedation is the only option. Sorry I can't be of more help. Best of luck.
If you cannot pick your dogs dish up and remove it while he/she is eating you have a real problem. That is one of the tests they give dogs at the humane society to determine if they are adoptable, if the dog doesn’t pass that test they are euthanized.
Beer.
Out Daisy used to be that way, but since the dog dremel trimmer she is no problem at all. The regular clippers press on the nerves in their toes and it is painful, the dremel is not painful, they just need to get used to the sound..
My lab mix is about the same size. The only way to trim her nails is one person calmly talking and feeding treats, practically lying on her, while another trims only two sets of nails. Thirty minutes later, the process is repeated on the other side. If you have to, only do one paw at a time, allowing plenty of time between trims so he/she sort of forgets. Lots of treats and calm talk should help.
The dog was a very aggressive 120 lb Rott. He didn’t like outsiders and definitely did not like other dogs. My son took him to a dog trainer who also trains police dogs. Although the dog improved the trainer loaned my son the collar for several months. For the last couple of months they have been taking him to the dog park a couple times a week. No problems have happened except fr the one time a homo large poodle tried to hump him. The idea is not to shock him until blood drips out of his ears but just a mild zap to let him know what he is doing is wrong. BTW he is having a ball playing with the other dogs. Still they watch him closely.
I forgot about Rescue Remedy. I’m going to try that. TY
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